Winter League – Quarter Final v Hutton Rudby

The North Eastern Winter League quarter finals were played on a calm sunny but cold morning in the grounds of the Bowes Museum with Barnard Castle playing hosts to a team from Hutton Rugby.

Jonathan Kirk and Johnny Heseltine came out the starting blocks in a determined way by taking the first set against the opponents men 6-0. Not to be down hearted Hutton Rugby made our team work hard in the second set but were unable to upset the rhythm of Jonathan and Johnny allowing them to take the second set 6-4.

On the other court Barbara Willis and Karen Tomlinson started well taking a 4-0 lead before Hutton Rugby ladies were able to gain a game. In the ensuing games though Barbara and Karen went on to take the first set 6-3. Hutton Rugby started the next set off, winning the first game but Barney answered this by taking the next. This was turning into a cat and mouse set until the score reached 3 all and with a lot of duice games Barbara and Karen eventually took the second set 6-3.

At the half way point Barnard Castle were in the lead 4-0 but could they keep this winning streak going!

In the mixed doubles Barbara partnered with Jonathan took on the opponents first pairing with games going against serve to 4 all before Hutton Rugby won their next serve game and took the lead and went on to take the set 6-4. The second set was a nip and tuck affair with loads of duice games which went to a tie break, but Hutton Rugby won the tie break making the score line 7-6. The partnership of Karen and Johnny playing together for the first time settled quickly and soon had both sets under their belt with a score line of 6-0, 6-0.

At the end of the mornings play Barnard Castle came out the winners with 6 sets to 2 and they are now through to the semi finals.